Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, Damian Lillard added 25, and the Milwaukee Bucks built a 25-point lead before holding off the Miami Heat to win 122-114 on Monday.
The Heat were without their ace Bam Adebayo, who suffered a hip contusion on Saturday in a loss to Minnesota.
Tyler Herro stepped up for Miami and finished with 35 points.
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The game had more interest than the typical October matchup due to the events between Miami and Milwaukee in recent months: the Heat surprised the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs by winning five games, and Milwaukee made their biggest signing of the season by acquiring Damian Lillard, who had previously expressed his preference to play in Miami if he had to leave Portland.
Miami, who was trailing 103-78 with less than 10 and a half minutes remaining, cut the deficit to under 10 points. A basket from Duncan Robinson made it 115-109 with 1:22 left on the clock.
Antetokounmpo converted a three-point play with 1:16 remaining, and the Bucks maintained a lead of at least six points until the end..
Throughout the rest of the day:
- Hornets 121-133 Nets
- Pacers 105-112 Bulls
- Raptors 91-99 Trail Blazers
- Hawks 127-113 Timberwolves
- Thunder 124-112 Pistons
AP
